City profile · Maryland · Census ACS 2023

Baltimore, MD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Baltimore - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

577,193
Residents
$59,623
Median income
$219,300
Median home
$1,857
Median rent (state)

Baltimore - the verdict

Baltimore ranks in the 35th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
78th
percentile, median rent
2nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Baltimore, MD

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 577,193 residents in Baltimore, a mid-sized U.S. city within Maryland. Median household income here is $59,623 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.3%. Typical homes in Baltimore are valued around $219,300, and the median resident age is 36.1 years. Educational attainment runs 35.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,273 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 150% from five years earlier. Baltimore's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 5763.2 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Maryland carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 105.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,857 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Maryland's average monthly utility costs around $255 (state average). Workers in Baltimore report an average commute of 24.7 minutes, with 56.8% driving alone and 15.9% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 95.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

577,193 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maryland

Median Household Income

$59,623 /yr

Poverty 15.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maryland average

How does Baltimore compare to other US cities?

Here's how Baltimore stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 78% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Maryland, Baltimore ranks #65 of 70 Maryland cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Baltimore against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Maryland only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Maryland-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Baltimore toward the top of Maryland's cities

Among the 479 Maryland cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Baltimore ranks #61 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Baltimore only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#386 of 445
13th percentile in Maryland
Median Gross Rent
#180 of 479
38th percentile in Maryland
Median Home Value
#380 of 450
15th percentile in Maryland
Poverty Rate
#61 of 479
87th percentile in Maryland
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#235 of 479
51st percentile in Maryland

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Maryland only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

35thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Baltimore's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Baltimore's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 25 Avg. percentile National median
Baltimore's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Baltimore's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$219,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Baltimore $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Baltimore, MD Baltimore, MD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Baltimore, MD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Baltimore, MD median $59,623/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Baltimore, MD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Baltimore, MD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
577,193
Median Income
$59,623
Median Home Value
$219,300
Median Age
36.1
Poverty Rate
15.3%
Labor force participation
58.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5763.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1606.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4157.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
273
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
565,000 residents570,000 residents575,000 residents580,000 residents585,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 583,295 residents 569,997 residents ▼ -2.3%
Baltimore's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,273
housing units authorized
Single-Family
165
detached homes
Multifamily
1,108
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 510
2020 1,621
2021 1,557
2022 1,657
2023 1,843
2024 1,273

Permit volume increased 150% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.7 minutes
Drive Alone
56.8%
Carpool
6.9%
Public Transit
11.5%
Walk
5.6%
Work from Home
15.9%
Other
3.3%

Based on 268,543 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maryland - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$255
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maryland state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maryland state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Baltimore sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,857/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maryland

Columbia
105,871 people
Germantown
90,521 people
Waldorf
82,541 people
Silver Spring
82,129 people
Frederick
80,617 people
Ellicott
73,737 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Baltimore's 577,193 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Milwaukee, WI
569,756 people
Albuquerque, NM
562,488 people
Fresno, CA
543,615 people
Tucson, AZ
543,348 people
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY
627,210 people
Memphis, TN
629,063 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Baltimore's $59,623 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Churubusco, IN
$59,621 median income
Ellinger, TX
$59,625 median income
Pe Ell, WA
$59,625 median income
Spencer, MA
$59,618 median income
Floresville, TX
$59,618 median income
North Judson, IN
$59,630 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Baltimore, MD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Baltimore, MD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.4% 60.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.9% White 27.4% Black or African American 60.0% Asian 2.5% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.4% Two or more races 5.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Baltimore compares to nearby Maryland cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Baltimore (this city) 577,193 $59,623
Columbia 105,871 $129,173
Germantown 90,521 $112,149
Waldorf 82,541 $115,453
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MD FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Baltimore, MD?

What is the population of Baltimore, MD? +

Baltimore, MD counts 577,193 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Baltimore, MD? +

Median annual household income in Baltimore runs $59,623, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Baltimore? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Baltimore; the closest available measure is the Maryland state average, a cost of living index of 105.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maryland vary by metro area.

Is Baltimore, MD safe? +

Baltimore has a total crime rate of 5763.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Baltimore, MD? +

The median home value in Baltimore is $219,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.